Moving from the UK to the San Francisco Bay area

funstuie · Jul 11, 2014

Hey all,

I havent posted in a while as I have just been very busy with work etc lately (although I do BBQ a lot still). Anyway my work is transferring myself and the family to San Francisco. We head over next month (pending house sale) and we will probably be looking to live in the Foster City/San Mateo area.

So I will be starting new with BBQ equipment seeing as I wont be bringing anything with me. Any tips on where to buy/look? I want to keep costs down but I was thinking of a Kamado type grill and a webber kettle from Craigs List (if I can work out how to find stuff on CL).

Also whats the bay area like for BBQ? I presume there is no restrictions on BBQ's?

IamMadMan · Jul 11, 2014

The sky is the limit for BBQ, no need to worry about restrictions.

tortaboy · Jul 11, 2014

Eggs by the Bay is a great place for BGE's

Although we do have no burn days, a small loophole in the law buried in fine print allows for bbq's (At least charcoal bbq's...currently).

rtboswell · Jul 11, 2014

Get a WSM off of CL's and sign up for Harry Soo's cooking class.

tortaboy · Jul 11, 2014

IamMadMan said:
The sky is the limit for BBQ, no need to worry about restrictions.

I certainly would not say the sky is the limit for California.

I sold my stick burner a couple of years ago because I didn't want to get caught up in the "No wood fire" rules due to the large number of mandatory No burn days.

On No burn days, You can't even heat your house with a wood burning stove (The ONLY exception is if the stove is your sole source of heat). I own an EPA approved, low pollution stove with a catalytic converter. The consensus was, these expensive models would be acceptable....NOPE.

Hoping they do not pass regulation against burning charcoal or lump for bbq's, but who knows.

deguerre · Jul 11, 2014

Talk to Landarc!

DUBBAGA · Jul 11, 2014

deguerre said:
Talk to Landarc!

and/or Marty Leach.

Also suggest you sign up at CBBQA (California BBQ Association) as there are many Northern California comp cooks who are active members there.

darkoozy · Jul 11, 2014

Weber smokey mountain aka wsm 22"

landarc · Jul 11, 2014

As Tortaboy said, there are no burn days, and I have concerns that they will someday extend to charcoal grills as well. I have to say, though, the the no burn days have greatly improved air quality in some areas. I think it is ridiculous that the catalytic converter stoves are banned as well, I heard they are clean enough.

I think that a Weber kettle will be easy enough to find on Craigslist, just think of it as a giant, unregulated flea market. Buyer beware and all, but, in the San Mateo/Foster City area, you will find a nice kettle right quick I bet.

Eggs by the Bay is a great store if you want a BGE and associated supplies, and Smitty has some excellent product lines. Personally, I buy most all of my BBQ stuff from Dave Bart in Livermore, closer for me. All the things you might have heard about California are true, doubly so on the side of the Bay you are moving to. The produce is rocking and year around, the variety and number of stores are outstanding, and whatever your income level is, they have a store that will take it all. :shock:

In terms of a lower cost Kamado-type cooker, they are hard to come by used around here. But, you can shop at Home Depot and get a decent one for a decent price. Hit me up with food questions, I got the area wired, more or less. If I don't know, I know someone who does.

Also, we are the NorCal Brethren, and we will soon start our planning for a NorCal Bash somewhere, we try to get together from time to time.

pbe gummi bear · Jul 11, 2014

There's a used full size vision in Santa Cruz CL at the moment for $300. Kamados and huge smokers aren't as common around here. If you are interested in a Weber of any kind, let me know and I can get you hooked up.

Chezmatt · Jul 11, 2014

Welcome to the Bay!

deguerre · Jul 12, 2014

landarc said:
Also, we are the NorCal Brethren, and we will soon start our planning for a NorCal Bash somewhere, we try to get together from time to time.

Hey, Bob. Can I get grandfathered in, so to speak?

Goyo626 · Jul 12, 2014

If you have any sort of building/welding experience a UDS would be nice. A new WSM 22.5" costs $399.99 (£233.11). You can probably find a weber grill 22.5" in great condition for under $75 on craigslist.

Edit: if you watch the premier league and/or champions league you will need a cable or satellite provider that carries NBC sports (and NBC affiliate channels) as well as Fox sports. Spanish league is carried by BeIn sports,and the german league is carried by gol tv. Premier league games start early (5:00 am).

mwmac · Jul 12, 2014

CL is your friend: here are a couple of listings to help give an idea of what to expect: 26.75" http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/for/4565023119.html ; 22.5" http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/grd/4554559973.html
Every one of my Weber grills: SJ, CGA, Bar B Q Kettles, SS performer, performer, have been acquired from CL.
WSM's are usually more difficult to come on CL.

funstuie · Jul 13, 2014

Thanks guys for responding.

One thing for me about moving is being in the land of BBQ. How do I find out about these no burn days (it probably wont matter too much to me as I will be using charcoal most of the time)?

bwodun · Jul 13, 2014

the clean air days(no burn) are announced on the tv news and in the newspapers, it really only covers wood stoves, wood burning fireplaces and rubbish piles for the most part,and also the commuting traffic, i dont have much of a problem with it, but i live in the far north bay and not in the urban areas you will be in, cameron

funstuie · Jul 14, 2014

landarc said:
As Tortaboy said, there are no burn days, and I have concerns that they will someday extend to charcoal grills as well. I have to say, though, the the no burn days have greatly improved air quality in some areas. I think it is ridiculous that the catalytic converter stoves are banned as well, I heard they are clean enough.

I think that a Weber kettle will be easy enough to find on Craigslist, just think of it as a giant, unregulated flea market. Buyer beware and all, but, in the San Mateo/Foster City area, you will find a nice kettle right quick I bet.

Eggs by the Bay is a great store if you want a BGE and associated supplies, and Smitty has some excellent product lines. Personally, I buy most all of my BBQ stuff from Dave Bart in Livermore, closer for me. All the things you might have heard about California are true, doubly so on the side of the Bay you are moving to. The produce is rocking and year around, the variety and number of stores are outstanding, and whatever your income level is, they have a store that will take it all. :shock:

In terms of a lower cost Kamado-type cooker, they are hard to come by used around here. But, you can shop at Home Depot and get a decent one for a decent price. Hit me up with food questions, I got the area wired, more or less. If I don't know, I know someone who does.

Also, we are the NorCal Brethren, and we will soon start our planning for a NorCal Bash somewhere, we try to get together from time to time.

Hey thanks for the response mate. Really good to have an "insider" in the area.

FiremanVinny · Jul 14, 2014

Here is the link for spare the air days..
http://www.sparetheair.org

I have never had any issues where I live which is about an hour east of san mateo.

FiremanVinny · Jul 14, 2014

Not sure if you are moving to a house but if you are renting an apartment with a balcony most don't allow charcoal bbqs.

landarc · Jul 14, 2014

deguerre said:
Hey, Bob. Can I get grandfathered in, so to speak?

We talk about you on all of the NorCal event postings, I assume that means you are in

Moving from the UK to the San Francisco Bay area

Knows what a fatty is.

somebody shut me the fark up.

is Blowin Smoke!

Full Fledged Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

somebody shut me the fark up.

is One Chatty Farker

is Blowin Smoke!

somebody shut me the fark up.

Knows what a fatty is.

Full Fledged Farker

somebody shut me the fark up.

Full Fledged Farker

is one Smokin' Farker

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

Knows what a fatty is.

somebody shut me the fark up.

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